Netflix’s ‘Daredevil’: Which New Character Just Joined Season 2?

Netflix’s Daredevil has just added an important character to its upcoming season. The hit Marvel series is bringing a new vigilante on to the scene for season two, who will be played The Walking Dead alum Jon Bernthal.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bernthal has been tapped to portray the longtime favorite Marvel figure, The Punisher. As fans of the comic books will know, the character (also known as Frank Castle) is a martial arts master and U.S. military veteran, with expert knowledge in a variety of weapons and guerrilla warfare. These skills allow Castle to moonlight as The Punisher, a vigilante who – like Daredevil- aims to clean up New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. The main difference between the two? The Punisher, as his name implies, will use any means necessary to complete necessary, even if it means leaving some bodies in his wake.

Daredevil, which stars Charlie Cox, Darohan Ann Woll, and Elden Henson, premiered in April to critical acclaim and was renewed for a second season that same month. Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting more details about the next season of the show and the potential new characters. So far, we know that, in addition to the three leads, Rosario Dawson is also set to reprise her role as Claire Temple. Meanwhile, series producers Doug Petrie and Marco Ramirez will take over showrunning duties from Steven S. DeKnight, with the show’s original creator Drew Goddard remaining on board as a consultant.

As for the newly added Bernthal, Marvel hasn’t yet revealed whether he has signed on as a new series regular or in a recurring role. Either way, THR reports that the actor will have what has been described as “a big presence” on the next season of the show.

News that Bernthal is joining the show has sparked plenty of excited buzz among viewers. The Punisher is a favorite character – one that many have been hoping would make an appearance on Daredevil. Not to mention, Marvel has pretty much aced its casting choice. Bernthal has experience working in comic book TV adaptations, having played Shane for two seasons on AMC’s zombie drama The Walking Dead. He also recently appeared on TNT’s Mob City and held roles in 2013’s Wolf of Wall Street and last year’s Fury.

“Jon Bernthal brings an unmatched intensity to every role he takes on, with a potent blend of power, motivation and vulnerability that will connect with audiences,” Marvel head of TV Jeph Loeb said in the official announcement. “Castle’s appearance will bring dramatic changes to the world of Matt Murdock and nothing will be the same.”

Though Berthal’s The Punisher will make a welcome addition to the Daredevil cast, he’s not the only new fan-favorite character that will show up in season two. Over the last several months, there’s also been speculation that Marvel is holding auditions to fill the role of Elektra, a love interest of Daredevil’s who didn’t appear in the first season of the series, but was briefly alluded to.

Other possible new characters? Jason Statham was rumored to be in talks to play the villainous Bullseye, but has since reportedly dropped out of negotiations. Mister Fear and Spider-Man villain Mysterio have also been name-dropped as potential new antiheroes for the upcoming season. Marvel has yet to comment any of the rumored possibilities.

Daredevil is the first of four solo Marvel hero series set to premiere on Netflix. Up next is a 13-episode season of A.K.A. Jessica Jones, with a 13-episode season of Luke Cage and a 13-episode season of Iron Fist following. The heroes will then join together for the eight-episode team-up show, The Defenders.

Season two of Daredevil will be ready to binge-watch sometime in 2016.